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Kline and Rokita Recognize National School Choice Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. | January 28, 2013

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN) today released the following statements in recognition of National School Choice Week (January 27 through February 2):

“Ensuring families can make choices about their children’s education is a key pillar of Republican efforts to improve the nation’s education system,” said Chairman Kline. “I applaud state and local leaders who are working to raise the bar on student achievement by providing parents with additional options, such as charter schools and scholarship programs. A shining example of a successful school choice initiative is D.C.’s own Opportunity Scholarship Program, which has increased high school graduation rates and the number of students pursuing a postsecondary degree. Such efforts should be encouraged, and I urge the administration to reexamine its support for D.C. OSP and other school choice programs across the country.”

"By expanding opportunities for school choice, we can encourage parents and local communities to take greater responsibility for their children’s education,” said Rep. Rokita. “The state I represent, Indiana, has seen remarkable success over the past decade with initiatives like public school choice, charter schools and scholarships. As we work to empower parents and improve our education system, our goal must be to ensure that schools and local communities in every state have the opportunity to find the solutions that work best for them.”